It appears from this appeal, that the pestilence, as well as the sword of the magistrates, singled out the guilty persons and spared the rest

( Psalms 91:6-8 ). The legislator, in order to deter the Jews from idolatry, alludes to this fact, but he notices no circumstance but one, which, though in the original narrative was not stated, was infinitely the most important to advert to on this occasion; but which no persons, but spectators of the fact, and perfectly acquainted with every individual concerned in it, could possibly feel the truth of.